Giants' Michael Strahan, and six others enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame

Jim Fassel, former New York Giants head coach, with United States Senator Cory Booker at the 2014 Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement at Fawcett Field in Canton, Ohio.
((William Perlman | The Star-Ledger))

CANTON, Ohio -- In one area just off the stage at the 2014 Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony was the family of former Arizona Cardinals cornerback Aeneas Williams. The rowdy, non-descript crew was decked in Cardinals red with Williams written on their back waiting for their man to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Just off to the left was the Michael Strahan section. In the front was his family -- mother, father, his four children, aunts, uncles and others. Behind them was a different cast of characters than any other section, many wearing expensive suits and designer dresses. Among them were members of his football past, television co-host Kelly Ripa, his "Good Morning America" co-host Robin Roberts and senator Cory Booker, from New Jersey. It was a section unlike any other at Fawcett Stadium.

Booker is a lifelong Giants fan, and became friends with Strahan about 10 years ago when he was the mayor of Newark. He wasn't going to miss the night when Strahan, a Giants legend, was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

"Michael Strahan has been a good friend for a long time. He's been a great friend for New Jersey, has done so much charity, so much philanthropy," Booker said before the ceremony on Saturday night. "He helped me out so much when I was mayor that I wanted to be here for him and with him on this incredibly special day."

Over the years, Booker and Strahan's relationship has grown. Strahan has invested in the revitalization of Newark and been involved in mentoring alongside Booker.

"He's an extraordinary athlete, but also an extraordinary human being," Booker said. "He's an extraordinary friend on so many different levels."

Strahan, of course, is also an exceptional football player. That is why he was inducted into the Hall of Fame on Saturday night.

Strahan spent his entire 15-year career with the Giants. He finished as the team's all-time leader in quarterback sacks with 141.5, including 22.5 in a record-setting 2001 season. He helped the Giants win a Super Bowl in his final season as a player.

Booker was watching it all. A former football player himself as an All-USA Today high school football team selection in 1986, the senator has never wavered in his fandom. The Giants are his team. Strahan was his guy.

Still, if Strahan slipped during his speech, Booker wasn't going to let it slide.

"This is my very first [Hall of Fame ceremony]. I'm dying to hear what he has to say and it's going to be moving," Booker said. "And if he makes any mistakes, I'll tease him mercilessly."